Social media sites like Twitter have been pegged as frivolous and whimsical little tools used only be the self indulgent to share what they are doing without the need of any validation or confirmation that anyone actually cares. Tweeting that you just ate a good burrito or that your date went horrible last night or even simply that you are off to bed has become an everyday occurrence. This has turned Twitter into an on line diary of sorts, chronicling the habits of anyone who wishes to share them. This simple purpose has just changed immensely.
Right now as I sit in my air conditioned office typing this, the streets of Iran are flooded with protesters and the entire country is suffering from civil unrest. The highly suspicious election that has just taken place has stirred up the whole country and caused millions of Iranians to take to the streets armed with nothing but their own outrage at being ignored and dismissed by their government. This post isn’t about the politics of Iran, however, it is about the voices of these people.
As an act of control over the citizens of Iran, the government turned off all social media capabilities, yet Twitter somehow remained. Because of this it has become one of the leading sources of information about what is going on in the city of Tehran and what is being done to the people who are protesting the alleged voter fraud. Videos and pictures shot with cell phones are being uploaded onto Twitter and then passed around the world.
As an act of uniformity and support green Twitter avatars are being uploaded to show concern over this growing crisis.
In this current social and political climate it is amazing what people can do if they really use their resources. This tragic situation in Iran has brought millions of people together all over the world in support of the essential role freedom must play in the lives of our fellow humans. This is an amazing example of how something as silly and capricious as Twitter can be transformed overnight into a real time news feed that could help change the world. Below is a video that was sent to Twitter and then onto You Tube of the protesters in the streets of Tehran. It would be such a tragic devastation to the people of Iran if the technology wasn’t here for them to get their voices heard. Likewise it is an amazing compliment to the generosity and compassion of complete outsiders who have spent hours on Twitter getting the word out about this crisis. Sometimes in life you really can rely on the kindness of strangers.
You can follow us on Twitter at @thatssoNW.
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